This is Zuzu, originally adopted about 3 years ago from a large, well funded local (Twin Cities, MN) rescue that does a lot of importing of out of state animals for adoption here.So far so good; except, a few months after her adoption, Zuzu was struggling in her adoptive home and the new owner called and emailed the rescue for help - and never heard back. Nothing - not one word. Zuzu is now about age 6, and is a Wheaton Terrier mix.
You wouldn't think small, adorable, white, young dogs like Zuzu with nothing apparently "wrong" would have ANY problem finding a home and keeping that home. But you would be mistaken. So, the owner soldiered on, doing her best - with the help of a trainer, a behaviorist and even working with a veterinarian who prescribed medication. Zuzu's owner worked hard, and everyone tried their best, including Zuzu. But as the owner described it, she had to be ever vigilant with Zuzu around neighbors, visitors, repairmen - this was a dog who feared strangers, and lacked confidence in unfamiliar situations. The last straw was when the owner lost focus momentarily when a neighbor stopped by, and Zuzu nipped the houseguest on the ankle. At this point Zuzu's owner - more than two years post adoption, was exhausted and just not able to cope anymore - managing Zuzu was taking huge amounts of energy and time. Once again she went back to Zuzu's rescue - because that's what the adoption contract called for, and what adopters are supposed to do if their rescues don't work out. THIS time she got a call back but the rescue declined to help and have Zuzu's return to them. No doubt, assuming that she was not going to be super easy to re-adopt out, they claimed they had no fosters available and therefore no opening for them to take Zuzu back into their organization - although they continued to bring truckloads of animals up from out-of-state each week. Zuzu was the third dog from this rescue that Home for Life® was asked to help in the space of four months after the adoptions failed, the organization would not take the dogs back and in two instances, told the adopter to put the dog to sleep. Zuzu is now at Home for Life® and for that reason, she eluded that fate, and because she is with us, her story is known and her photos seen.
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We call dogs and cats like Zuzu the invisible animals, and they are legion in rescue. They are like refugees who have lost their home, but who stand a slim to none chance of being "rescued" and landing anywhere to have safety and a new beginning. What happens to the dogs and cats like Zuzu, who have reached their expiration date, who have been recycled thru rescue, been "rehabilitated" yet lose their home, their appeal - and are rejected from organizations and shelters focused on adoption? What do you think happens to most of them? Turned in to animal controls or shelters for euthanasia or quietly put down in veterinarian offices - yet they have been counted in the "Saved" columns by their rescues who adopted them out. But were they ever truly safe?
It's not our intent to single out one organization out for blame or attack but to shine a light on a widespread phenomena in animal welfare which leaves scores of cats and dogs adrift with their lives at risk in the name of "rescue". As a care for life sanctuary, standing at the end of the funnel, so to speak, when animals can't find a new home but shouldn't be put down, we hear about cases that may escape the notice of the average animal lover with a passing acquaintance with "rescue". Because the truth is, everywhere animals are being "rescued" but not truly saved, and there is a difference.
Today, Zuzu, who has the look and temperment of a Wheaton Terrier mix, is part of a energetic group of small dogs and their guardian. The group includes rat terriers Jake and Tipper as well as the bonded pair Nina, an Italian Greyhound and Gizmo, a rat terrier/Jack Russell Terrier mix (see their facebook story here). Zuzu loves the opportunity for all day long activity and to have close dog friends, as a member of her small pack. As with most terriers, she is ever alert and interested in the busy daily activity at the sanctuary which she loves to keep track of from the dog exercise areas which are fenced on an upward slope of a hill rise.
Zuzu earned the designation of hero dog of Home for Life® for saving the life of Nina the high strung Italian Greyhound, her roommate and friend. One dark night, our overnight staff heard Zuzu's frantic alarm barking - it could readily be distinguished from the normal conversational bark heard throughout the day. Zuzu was distressed and calling for help. Thankfully, even though it was winter, with the building windows closed, the Nights on Call staff heard Zuzu and ran into the building to investigate. There Zuzu was found outside in the run, standing near her comrade Nina, who had somehow wedged her head and neck under the adjoining chainlink fencing and in trying to pull her head back through, had become caught and was frantically thrashing around, with several deep lacerations on her neck already. Thankfully, she was found in time and able to be freed, and her deep wounds treated at the veterinary clinic the next morning. But if not for Zuzu's vigilance and heroism, Nina likely would have either suffered fatal neck wounds or strangled or bled to death. That morning, while Nina was being cared for at the vet, our staff gave Zuzu extra canned food as a reward on her breakfast bowl of food!
It's humbling to think that Zuzu, this courageous, small dog, who called for help for her friend Nina and saved her life, came so close to losing her own life as a victim of "rescue" and the system of animal welfare as it currently exists. Though "rescued" Zuzu was not saved until she found her way to Home for Life®, and demonstrated her gratitude by saving the life of her friend Nina. Her story illustrates that there is worth and something great in all animals, qualities worth preserving and cherishing even if they are not able to make it in an adoptive home.